Turning them into smart users

BANGALORE: Although surfing the Web can be fun and informative, today’s online safety is a genuine concern for most people, especially parents. As part of its long-termcommitment to creating safer online experiences for youth, Opera Software has come together with the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) to launch a ‘Safe Surfing Campaign’.  Moving on from Ahmedabad to Bangalore, the campaign will positively impact 25,000 students in Pune, Mysore and Hyderabad as well.From August 30 to  September 2, Rakshit Tandon, consultant & advisor , IAMAI, will visit schools in Bangalore to conduct sessions on safe Internet browsing.  Schools like St John's High School, Goodwill Girls High School and Sri Vani Education Centre will be targeted for this campaign.   The interactive campaign will focus on sixth grade students and above, in order to spread the beneficial impact of the Internet to future generations of net users, thereby educating them to be safe, smart and responsible users.While the Internet offers many great opportunities, children and young adults/teenagers must understand that the potential risks to their privacy and safety are real. Neither banning access entirely nor keeping a strict watch is the correct way to solve this issue.  Opera Software along with IAMAI looks forward to educating these new web users and in the process strengthen their browsing experience. Currently, there remains a digital divide between people enabled to use the Internet as a tool and those who are yet to learn to be an Internet user. This initiative is aimed at bridging this widening digital divide by making students more aware of the beneficial and empowering aspects of Internet.“The Internet is an extremely important tool and resource catering to all groups of people, regardless of age or location. However, the Internet is not without its risks and dangers,” said Shwetank Dixit, web evangelist, Opera Software. “Internet security is our top priority and education is the key to Internet safety. We have an obligation to educate children, teenagers, parents and teachers, so they, too, can get the most out of their web experience.”